For the first time since 2002, Israel has deployed tanks in the occupied West Bank in addition to its military operations in Jenin and other refugee camps. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that around 40,

By Raneen Sawafta and James MackenzieJENIN, West Bank/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel sent tanks into the occupied West Bank for the first time in more than 20 years on Sunday as it ordered the military to prepare for an "extended stay" to fight Palestinian militant groups in the area's refugee camps.

Israeli military operations in the West Bank, including tank incursions and displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinians.

Blasts rocked three empty buses in a Tel Aviv suburb, and explosives were found at other sites, authorities said.

Israel’s military sent tanks into the occupied West Bank for the first time in more than two decades as it expanded operations in the territory on Sunday in a move decried by Palestinian authorities as an escalation of aggression.

In an address Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Syria’s new rulers should demilitarize the Quneitra, Daraa and Suwayda provinces.

Israeli forces have expanded their military presence in the occupied West Bank, continuing a month-long offensive.

Tulkarm Governor Abdullah Kmeil Friday warned that Israel has the intent to commit genocide in the northern occupied West Bank refugee camp of Tulkarm. He stated that the storming by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ‘Defense’ Minister Israel Katz of the refugee camp serves as evidence of Israel’s specific intention to commit further extrajudicial killings,

Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF to increase the intensity of military operations in the West Bank, in particular targeting the Tulkarm refugee camp.